Other Nearby Places to Visit

The New England Aquarium is one of the most prominent and popular public aquariums in the United States. In addition to the main aquarium building, attractions at the New England Aquarium include the Simons IMAX Theatre and the New England Aquarium Whale Watch, which operates from April through November.

Recent User Reviews

Guilford, Maine

My ratings by kids age

Took Our Time To Explore

We all had a fantastic time. I recommend the New England Aquarium for all ages. There is so much to see and do. We spent 2 hours exploring the Aquarium and could of spent another hour or two. The kids never was bored. They actually wasn't ready to leave when we were. The Penguins were my favorite. I could of watched them all day. The sharks was the scariest. We all had our favorites and I'm sure you will too. This is a must see if your in the Boston area.

Tips for Families

Your going to want to bring a stroller for the younger toddlers. This is a very large Aquarium and they will get tired.

My ratings by kids age

A Fun Place to Visit For the Day

The New England Aquarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions for families with young kids in Boston, and it's no surprise. With a shark and ray touch tank, a huge penguin exhibit, and an IMAX theater, there's lots to see and do. When you arrive at the aquarium, be prepared to wait in line to buy tickets. Alternatively, you can buy timed tickets online - just be sure you buy the right time. Tickets to the adjacent IMAX theater are separate, or can be purchased as part of a package. The aquarium does get crowded, so it's worth looking at the map to plan your trip. Our favorite exhibits are the shark and ray tank, the recently-renovated giant ocean tank, and the penguin exhibit. There's an on-site restaurant, or may nearby restaurants. Also be aware that parking at the garage is very expensive - a cab or public transportation is a better option.

Williston, Vermont

My ratings by kids age

Crowded and Pricy Aquarium

When we arrived at the Aquarium I was surprised to see such a long line outside with an estimated wait time of 25 minutes just to buy tickets! Meanwhile, I was thinking for an entry fee of $77.80 for our family of four (not including IMAX) it better be worth the wait. Our first stop once inside was the touch tank for the sharks and sting-rays. The kids enjoyed how the sting-rays felt; “slimy” and “gushy”. Our kids didn’t get a chance to touch any sharks. They seemed to be afraid that day and were hanging back. Apparently this happens when their are too many eager little hands in the tank. Two museum staff members were constantly talking the kids through the rules, yet educating them at the same time about the fish. Also in this wing of the building are the Jellyfish. Don’t miss them. They are downstairs in quiet area. Next we were off to the main area, a four story, giant ocean tank. The staring attractions here are the penguins which surround the bottom of the tank. You can’t help but stop and stare at these creatures. Next wind your way up the and around this massive space admiring marine life everywhere you look. Finally arriving at the top where you can peer down into the tank and and ask questions to the diver on hand.

Tips for Families

There is no museum reciprocity of any kind here. The only way to get a discount is to belong to the Aquarium.

My ratings by kids age

Great Aquarium, but under construction

I fondly remember the New England Aquarium from my many visits when I used to live in Boston. I took my children there and, despite the price of admission, the aquarium was under construction, so we didn't get to see all the fish swimming in the core (center) of the aquarium, which usually is the coolest part. They did have the fish swimming around on the ground floor pond area, though. My kids loved petting the sting rays and seeing all the jelly fish on the lower level. The sea lion show was definitely a highlight and we also got to see some adorable little penguins in a glassed-in area. The penguins, which are normally out in full display, were displaced during construction

Tips for Families

They have Imax shows and the Imax was included in the price of regular admission because of the construction when we went, but we had other places to go and didn't have time to sit through a movie. Definitely go see the seal feeding. It was great!

My ratings by kids age

A fun learning experience for kids of all ages!

It's not often that all three of our kids (ages 9, 13 and 15) are entertained at an attrraction, but when we took them to the New England Aquarium, we were pleasantly surprised. All three loved the touch tank, which is a fairly large structure set into it's own room at the aquarium. Two experts are on hand to answer questions and ensure the safety of the creatures in the tank. After we enjoyed the touch tank for a while, we went downstairs to the jellyfish displays, and listened to an engaging presentation on snapping turtles. The main building is arranged around a large spiral ramp which wraps around a large cylindrical tank housing the largest species. This arrangement makes it easy to maneuver through the aquarium and enjoy the sights without getting lost. At the top of the ramp, we were able to look down into the main tank for a birds-eye view. Outside there is a seal pool and presentations are scheduled throughout the day. A separate building houses a well-kept IMAX theater, and several different aquarium-related movies are scheduled each day. IMAX theater admission is in addition to aquarium admission. We found the New England Aquarium to be just the right size for a 1 1/2 - 2 hour visit. Allow extra time for an IMAX movie.

Tips for Families

In the summer months, arrive as close to opening as possible to avoid very long admission lines. Check the IMAX schedule in advance so that you can arrange your visit around the movie showings.